"Follow Me as I Follow Christ": A Discipleship Curriculum

Book excerpt: “Follow Me as I Follow Christ” (FMIFC) is a curriculum designed to prepare young learners to lead based on Paul’s writings to Timothy in First and Second Timothy. The curriculum includes four modules, The Call of Leadership, Character of Leadership, Challenges of Leadership, and Charges to Leadership, which remind and inform the leader instructor while reforming and instructing the learner student. FMIFC uses Paul’s writings to Timothy to cultivate a learning environment of succession where mature leaders oversee the preparation of young learners to take their place. The FMIFC curriculum has as its foundation two concerns Paul had regarding Timothy – being a youthful leader (1 Tim. 4:12) and his ability to groom generational successors given their relationship (2 Tim. 2:2). The curriculum includes a workbook that allows the participants to work their way through critical passages, apply lessons learned, and connect Scripture with scholarly research. Many churches do not have a succession plan, nor are they making any preparations for the departure of their leadership. This curriculum will provide them with a tool for implementation. The foundational objectives for effectiveness emphasized in this course are: 1) For young learners to develop the confidence and competence required to lead a local church within two years; 2) For older leaders (instructors) to have a Pauline Development Guide to assess young learner development; and 3) For leaders to have the courage and content to hold other leaders accountable